Peer pressure pays off in NZ despite protests
Source: Agencies |
January 8, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ISRAEL'S Shahar Peer was the subject of protests for the third successive day at the Auckland Classic yesterday, though the 22-year-old still advanced to the semifinals of the event.
Five people, amongst a group of about 20 protesting at Israel's policies towards Palestinians and urging Peer to withdraw from the tournament, were arrested outside the central Auckland venue.
One was arrested on Wednesday during a protest, which caused a delay to Peer's second round victory over Slovakia's Magdalena Rybarikova on one of the outside courts.
Peer, however, continued to be unfazed by the outside distractions and moved into the semifinals with a 6-0, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Russia's Maria Kirilenko on centre court.
"You know I'm trying to focus on myself and not about them coming or not coming and just trying to focus on my tennis," Peer told reporters.
"If I win the tournament, it just shows that I don't need to think about it and politics should not be at play."
Peer will meet third seed Yanina Wickmayer in the semifinals today after the Belgian overpowered the tournament's surprise package Kimiko Date Krumm 6-2, 6-2.
The Japanese former world No. 4, who returned to the courts in May 2008 after more than a decade away from the game, had upset fifth seed Virgine Razzano of France in the second round on Wednesday.
Five people, amongst a group of about 20 protesting at Israel's policies towards Palestinians and urging Peer to withdraw from the tournament, were arrested outside the central Auckland venue.
One was arrested on Wednesday during a protest, which caused a delay to Peer's second round victory over Slovakia's Magdalena Rybarikova on one of the outside courts.
Peer, however, continued to be unfazed by the outside distractions and moved into the semifinals with a 6-0, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Russia's Maria Kirilenko on centre court.
"You know I'm trying to focus on myself and not about them coming or not coming and just trying to focus on my tennis," Peer told reporters.
"If I win the tournament, it just shows that I don't need to think about it and politics should not be at play."
Peer will meet third seed Yanina Wickmayer in the semifinals today after the Belgian overpowered the tournament's surprise package Kimiko Date Krumm 6-2, 6-2.
The Japanese former world No. 4, who returned to the courts in May 2008 after more than a decade away from the game, had upset fifth seed Virgine Razzano of France in the second round on Wednesday.
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